Known for its beaches and cricket - its national sport - the former British colony has a dual heritage: English - evident in its stone-built Anglican churches and Saturday race meetings - and African, reflected in its music and dance. The eastern Caribbean nation of Barbados has seen tourism overtake the export of sugar as its main revenue earner.

Full name: Barbados

Population: 256,600 (UN, 2010)

Capital: Bridgetown

Area: 430 sq km (166 sq miles)

Major language: English (Bajan, an English-African dialect, is widely used)